Dental plate joint



April 2, 1929. v. KLEIN 1,707,352

DENTAL PLATE JOINT Filed Dec. 30, 1927 mm:ammww INVENTOR.

VICTOR KLEIN "Mgm A TTORNEY Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

, 1,707,862 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VICTOR KLEIN, OF SAQBAMENTO, CALIFORNIA DENTAL PLATE JOINT,

Application filed December 30, 1927. Serial No. 243,723.

This invention relates to improvements in a dental plate jointand has particular reference to the hin ing together of dental plates commonly employed in supporting false teeth.

The principal object of this invention is to provide means whereby the upper and lower plates may be effectively hinged together in such a manner that they will fit the gums and remain in contact therewith throughout the various movements of the aws.

Another object is to provide a simple de vice which may be attached to any standard form of plate now upon the market without materially altering the construction of the same.

A further object is to produce a device of this character which is economical to manufacture and one which may be incorporated without adding to the expense of the plates.

r still further object is to provide a device of this nature which is simple in construction and one which may be easily cleaned.

, Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description. i

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure I is a side elevation of a pair of plates having my device attachedthereto,

Figure II is an enlarged detail view of one of the spring shields looking from the bridge side,

Figure III is a horizontal cross section of Figure II,

Figure IV is an enlarged detail view showing the end portion of the bridge to which my joint is attached,

Figure V is a fragmentary detail view in cross section showing a modified form of spring mounting,

Figure VI is an enlarged detail view in elevation with one of the securing clamps,

, Figure VII is a side elevation of the spring box showing the cross section in Figure V, and

Figure VIII is a modified form of spring.

At the present time it is common practise to support the plates in the mouth with the bottom plate resting upon the gums and moving with the movement of the lower jaw,

while the upper plates adheres to the roof of the mouth through the natural adhesion beturned flange 14; The

tween the plate and the gums and palate. The result is that the upper plate oftentimes becomes displaced due to the shrinking of the gums, and consequently drops which is not ofiiy annoying to the wearer but disagreea e time the mouth is opened and this interferes with the proper pronunciation in speaking, or in masticating.

I have therefore devised a simple joint which will connect the upper and lower plate or the like in such a manner that the upper plate will be maintained in contact with the gums and palate at all times but in such a. delicate manner that the wearer will not feel the pressure, and furthermore, in such a manner that the jaws may be moved in any direction with respect to each other Without dis-' turbing the position of the plates.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose ofillustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the upper plate of a set of false teeth and the numeral 6 the lowerplate.

These plates are of the ordinary construction and therefore need no further description as they form no part of this invention.

Referring now to Figure IV, it willbe noted that the plate has a portion 7 recessed so as to provide space for a pivot 8 into which a screw 9 passes. A tubular member is also fastened to the plate and is designatedby the numeral 11. These members 8 and 11 are preferably cast into the plate when the plate is being formed it being understood that there is a pivot and a tubular member secured on each side of each plate and by viewing Figure I, it will be noted that the pivot is substantiallymid-way of the length of the plate.

Referring toFigure II, it will be noted that I have provided a springshield 12 having an opening 13 therein and having an upflange serves as a means for securing a spring 16 to the spring shield, one end of the spring 17 bearin against the flange 14, while the opposite end 18 is bent outwardly as shown at 19 and then at right angles so as to lie parallel to the cover plate (see Figure III). The opening 13 is adapted to be placed over the pivot 8 in such a manner that the spring shield will be held in close contact with the plate by means of a screw 9, while the portion 21 of the spring will enter the tubular member 11, as will be I later described.

in that it causes a clicking sound each It is of course understood that there is one of thesev spring shields mounted upon each of the pivots. To these spring shields are attachedarms 22 which have a ball and socket 23 formed thereon. The opposing ball sockets are" adapted to house balls 24 secured to the oppositerends of a link 26, and preferably formed so that any form of ball joints may be used.

The result of this construction is that when the two plates are assembled as shown in Figure I, the end 21 of each spring 16 mounted within each spring shield, will lie within its respective tubular member 11, while the shield willbe held in contact with the plate by'means of the screw 9, with the result that "tend to rotate the plates by their pivots 8, produce which tendency is only sullicient to the desired result.

Through the ball and socket connection it is possible to move the aws in any direction and at the same time, maintain the plates in their proper contact with the gums.

In the'modified form shown in Figure V the only difference is that the spring element is enclosed in two box like structures 2'7 and 28 which are pivoted as by a hollow pivot 29. This hollow pivot serves to accommodate j the coil portion 31 of the spring, the ends oi which spring extend in the box like structures against which they hear. The box like structure 27 is slidably held to the plate 5 by a clamp 32 which has inturned edges 33 Figure VI), The box like structures 27 and 28 tend to normally assume the position shown in Figure VII therefore when they are brought into horizontal alignment the tension of the spring is increased and then performs its function.

In Figure VIII 1 have shown a modified form otspring designated by the numeral 29. The action of this type of spring is well known and as it is employed in the same relative position, further comment thereoitis not necessary. j

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example oi the same and that various changes relative to the n1aterial, shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted. to without departing from the spirit of the im'ention, or the scope of the subjoine'd claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim 1. In combination with a pair of dental platesfpivots formed on each side or said plates at a point substantially mid-way of their length from front to back, a shield formed on each of said pivots, an arm secured to each of said shields,- and a double ball and socket connection between said arms. V

2-111 combination with a pair of dental plates, pivots formed on each side of said plates at a point substantially mid-way of their length from front to back, a shield formed on each of said pivots, an arm secured toeach of said shields, a doubleball and socket connection between said arms, and a spring positioned in each of said shields, one

end oisaid spring engaging the dental plate and having its opposite end bearing against said shield in such amanner as tocause said shield to move away from its corresponding shield.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature VICTOR KLEIN. 

